Banjo



Y C. D. RUSSO.

BANJO.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26. 1919.

1,341,199, Patented May25,1920.

Mental; v 62219 .DeZZa 24950,-

CIRO DELLO RUSSO, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BANJO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

Application filed June 26, 1919. Serial No. 306,820.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Cmo DELLO Russo, a subject of the King of Italy, and resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Banjos, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to musical instru ments and more particularly to musical instruments of the banjo type and has for an object a means for increasing the resonance and amplifying the sound of such instruments. This object is obtained by the construction shown in the accompanying draw ing forming part of this specification in which, Figure 1, is a plan view looking on the top of the resonant part of the instrument with the parchment removed, Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section and Fig. 8

is an outline plan of a banjo on which my invention may be used.

This invention consists in providing a light sheet metal disk beneath the drum head of the instrument; the edges of this disk are turned over and flanged and lit within the rim of the instrument. An annular space is provided between the turned over edge or wall of the disk and the frame and numerous perforations are provided in the wall.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 11 represents the rim of the instrument, 12, Fig. 2 indicates the position of the parchment or drum head, 13 is a hoop holding 12 in place and 14: are hook bolts by means of which the tension of the parchment is maintained. 15 are screws through the frame 11 which hold the cleats for the hook bolts 14:. 16 indicates the strings and 17, Fig. 3 indicates the bridge on the drum head; all of this construction will be found in the common banjo.

In applying my invention to the ordinary banjo, I prefer to cut a channel or annular groove 20 in the ring 11. This, however, is not essential to the function of the instrument as a space is provided by the curved wall of the disk.

The edge of disk 21 is turned over to form a wall 25 and has an extended base 24; which fits snugly within the ring 11 and is supported in position by the heads of the screws 15. The disk has a curved wall as shown at 25 which supports the crown or disk proper 22, the edge being formed in a ridge as shown at 28 which is engaged by the parchment 12 forming the drum head of the instrument. It will be noted that a space a is provided between the side 20 of the ring and the wall of the disk and this wall or flange of the disk has numerous perforations as indicated at 26. This provides a communicating air space from the annular groove (4 to the back of the instrument.

A comparatively small air space is provided between the parchment 12 and the crown of the disk 22. This air space is entirely inclosed by the ridge 23.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a banjo, in combination, a wood rim supporting a drum head, a disk having turned over edges to forma wall inclosed within said rim, an annular ridge on said disk formed where said wall is turned over, and said drum head stretched over said ridge.

2. In a banjo, in combination, a rim supporting a drum head, a disk having turned over edges to form a wall, the base of which fits snugly within said rim, an annular space between said rim and said disk, and said drum head stretched over said disk.

In banjo, in combination, a rim supporting a drum head, a disk having turned over edges to form a wall, the base of which fits snugly within said rim, an annular space between said rim and said sides, a plurality of perforations in said sides opposite said annular space, and said drum head stretched over said disk.

4:. In av banjo, in combination, a rim supporting a drum head, a disk having turned over edges to form a wall inclosed within said rim, an annular space between said rim and said wall, an annular ridge on said disk engaging said drum head, and an inclosed space between the crown of said disk and said drum head.

In a banjo, in combination, a rim supporting a drui'n head, means securing said. drum head to said rim, a turned over disk having edges to form a wall the base of which fits snugly within said rim, an annular space between said rim and said wall, said disk engaging said drum head and held in position by the means securing said drum head.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 23 day of June A. l). 1919.

CIRO DELLO RUSSO. 

